After 26 years with Sentara, Becky Sawyer has been promoted to the top Human Resources positions with Sentara Healthcare, whose workforce is 81% women. Sawyer replaces Mike Taylor, who is launching an in-house executive development program.

Becky Sawyer promoted to Senior VP of HR

First woman named to top HR position

Becky Sawyer has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Sentara Healthcare effective May 29. Sawyer currently serves as Vice President of Human Resources for Sentara hospitals in Hampton Roads, South Boston and Elizabeth City, plus Support Services, Sentara Medical Group, Sentara Enterprises, Sentara Life Care and Optima Health.

“Becky has a wealth of expertise in HR best practices and brings a fresh eye to contemporary HR solutions” said Howard P. Kern, President & CEO of Sentara Healthcare. “She is a committed employee and company advocate and passionate about creating a healthy work environment,” Kern added. “Her energy and enthusiasm are relentless and her ability to motivate others has been instrumental in her continued success.”

Sawyer replaces senior vice president Michael V. Taylor, who is launching an in-house program to develop the next generation of executive leaders for Sentara hospitals and other divisions.

“Sentara has a history of promoting from within whenever we can,” said Taylor. “We’re going to take leadership development to a new level to ensure seamless transitions as leaders move up or retire.”

Sawyer is the first woman appointed to the most senior HR position at Sentara. “I think It’s important to acknowledge that 81% of the workforce at Sentara is comprised of women,” says Sawyer. “Sentara has been a positive, supportive workplace for me, and I want to help ensure that we continue to celebrate a diverse, multigenerational team committed to our mission to improve health every day.”

Sawyer is a Virginia Beach resident raised in Montana. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Troy University and a master’s in public administration from Arkansas State University.

Sawyer and her husband Greg have two adult children and are proud grandparents to a new grandson. Sawyer enjoys spending time with family, traveling, bike riding, gardening and reading.